"Would You Like a Cherry Tomato...?"

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.” ~Galatians 6:10

On a nearly perfect late afternoon, I am walking around the Timber Ridge complex that has been home for GAGE and me for the past 18 months. I say “nearly” since every other step the last few weeks is accompanied with pain in my left foot and ankle diagnosed as tendinitis.

Tendinitis is “the inflammation of a tendon caused by the repetitive motion in the joint area, overuse (long walks—remember I have a big dog who likes to walk but no back yard to walk in and I live on the side of a mountain), people over 40 (okay, double that), men (yep), overweight (not so much ... well, I could stand to lose five ... okay, eight), worn out shoes (heading for the store), previous injuries (I’ve had it before), result in localized pain, swelling, and stiffness.”

Always On My Mind, a favorite Willie Nelson song pretty well describes it. Try singing this to your foot:

“Maybe I didn't love you

Quite as often as I could have

And maybe I didn't treat you

Quite as good as I should have

If I made you feel second best

Girl, I'm sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind

You were always on my mind.”[1]

I know, it’s not quite the same when sung to one’s foot, however

Foot, you were (not) always on my mind (before)

(But) You are always on my mind (now).

So I am walking with GAGE when a nice lady coming in the opposite direction says, “Hi there” (and seeing the boot on my foot provided by Dan, my physical therapist) asks, “What did you do to your foot?” And I reply, “Tendinitis.” And she says, “Would you like a cherry tomato from my garden?”

Now let’s stop right there for a moment. I live among about 800 (including staff) people who are here every week at Timber Ridge. Around this large, multistory complex are a number of garden plots developed by residents who enjoy gardening. Each spring they prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and nurture the growth to fruition. The results of their efforts bring pleasure to us all—a plethora of tasty herbs and beautiful flowers. And cherry tomatoes.

Awaiting a response from me while on my daily journey through Life’s Third Age is a person who has done all of the above, someone for whom gardening is an expression of great joy and love. I do believe a garden teaches. There’s an old Chinese proverb that says, “Life begins the day you start a garden.” Horticulturist Allan Armitage puts it this way: “Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized.” There are many who would agree that “gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.”

“Would you like a cherry tomato from my garden?”

And preoccupied with my own discomfort, I miss a glorious moment. I say, “Thanks, but I’m okay.” The truth? I am not thankful. I am not okay. And I miss sharing an important moment with another human being who is on her own Third Life Age journey. A woman who’s name I do not know, nor do I ask. It’s not that big a deal, you say? It’s just a tomato. Not even a big one.

But you are wrong. So am I. It is important. I am being offered a taste of something she planned for in winter and planted weeks ago in soil carefully prepared. Something she watered and nurtured, watched over and cared for until it grew into a joyful expression of one of the things she loves best. And I am given an opportunity to honor what she has done, to bless her and to be blest in the same moment.

And I miss it.

How many times in a year, a month, a week, or a day are we so preoccupied with ourselves that we miss the joy of being blest and being a blessing to others around us on their journey through life, be it in the First Age (0-30), the Second Age (30-60) or the Third Age (60+). There is joy for anyone who offers part of who they are becoming to another. And there is healing for our pain if we receive it with gratitude and thanksgiving. So then, as we have opportunity ...

“Would you like a cherry tomato from my garden?”

Yes please. And thank you so much!

[1] Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Johnny Christopher / Mark James / Wayne Thompson

Always On My Mind lyrics ? Universal Music Publishing Group